The first player to win an NBA MVP, Finals MVP and Olympic gold medal in the same year since Michael Jordan did so in 1992, LeBron James is Sporting News' Athlete of the Year. (Paul Nisely/SN Illustration) (AP Photos)

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NBA MVP

James shares a moment with son LeBron Jr. after accepting the 2012 NBA MVP trophy in Miami. James is the eighth player to win the award three times. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

With the Eastern Conference finals on the line, James gets past Paul Pierce in Game 7. The Heat were down 3-2 in the season when James engineered consecutive victories to eliminate the Celtics. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

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James vs. Spain

Spain was a game opponent, but James and the United States drove home the point that the Americans are the world's best basketball team. By winning this game, James and the U.S. claimed gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. (Eric Gay/AP)

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Game 3: Heat vs. Knicks

Jared Jeffries and Carmelo Anthony are left empty handed as James pulls in a rebound in Game 3 of a first-round playoff series. The Heat knocked the Knicks out in five games. (Kathy Willens/AP)

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Game 4: Heat vs Pacers

Dwyane Wade, left, and Mario Chalmers join James to celebrate in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Down 2-1, Miami won three consecutive games to take the series. (Darron Cummings/AP)

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Proving man can fly

One of his best moments of 2012 came on Jan. 29, as James dunks over the heads of Bulls guard John Lucas and forward Carlos Boozer. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

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Game 4: Overcoming adversity

In a defining moment, Heat James is carried from the floor because of leg cramps against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. James returned to hit the biggest 3-pointer of his career. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

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Miami on top of the world

Dwyane Wade holds the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy and James has his MVP award after Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The win validated James' place among the league's greatest talents. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

James celebrates after winning the gold medal against Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics. On a team worthy of mention with the best ever, James was the single biggest factor in the U.S. win. (Charles Krupa/AP)

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Ringing endorsement

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh join James to show off their 2012 NBA championship rings during a ceremony before the Heat's 2012-13 season opener against the Celtics in Miami. (J Pat Carter/AP)

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A convergence of stars

Kevin Durant faces off with James (in the NBA All-Star Game. The Western Conference won 152-149, with Durant named MVP. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

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Heat vs. Trail Blazers

Nobody said being great was easy. James goes through a pre-game stretch before facing the Blazers. The regime works, as James has 38 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and five steals in a road win. (Rick Bowmer/AP)

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Parquet image

Great moments in basketball happen on the legendary floor in Boston, as James is an imposing figure during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. James scores 45 points on 19-of-26 shooting in a signature win. (Charles Krupa/AP)

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The powder and the glory

James begins every game with a cloud of chalk, a ritual that is his trademark. It's an adopted idea; before him, it was Michael Jordan who used the moment to tell opponents they were about to be dusted. (Rick Bowmer/AP)